Food intolerance/allergy is a growing problem among runners. A food intolerance can negatively affect running performance by causing GI distress, fatigue, and other symptoms. If you suspect that you have a food allergy, it’s important to get tested so that you can avoid foods that trigger your symptoms. Lifelab UK Testing can help you determine if you have a food allergy and what foods to avoid. This guide will look at food allergies and intolerances, how food intolerances affect running, and how to get tested to ensure your diet supports your running goals.
What's In This Guide?
What Are Food Allergies And Intolerances?
A food allergy is an immune reaction to a food protein. Your body produces antibodies to the offending protein when you have a food allergy. These antibodies then trigger a release of histamine and other chemicals, which can cause symptoms such as hives, swelling, gastrointestinal distress, and difficulty breathing (Allergy UK). Food allergies can be life-threatening, so you must get tested if you suspect you have one and seek the advice of your doctor.
A food intolerance is an adverse reaction to food that does not involve the immune system. Intolerances can cause many of the same symptoms as allergies, but they are not life-threatening (NHS). Intolerances can be hard to diagnose because no one test can confirm an intolerance. However, Lifelab Testing can help you identify intolerances through our comprehensive food intolerance panel.
Signs And Symptoms Of Food Allergies And Intolerances?
The signs and symptoms of food allergies and intolerances can vary from person to person. Some common symptoms include:
- Gastrointestinal distress: bloating, gas, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
- Stomach pain
- Headaches
- Skin reactions: hives, itching, swelling
- Difficulty breathing
If you suspect a food allergy or intolerance, you must get tested to avoid foods that trigger your symptoms. Lifelab Testing can help you determine if you have a food allergy and what foods to avoid.
Can A Food Intolerances Affect Running?
There are many food intolerances, but gluten intolerance is the most common among runners. A gluten intolerance can cause fatigue, bloating, and other gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms that can negatively affect running performance. If you suspect a food intolerance, it’s paramount to get tested to avoid foods that trigger your symptoms. Experiencing these issues can have a massive inpact on your ability to train or race.
How Can Food Intolerance Affect Running Ability?
The most common symptom of food intolerance is gastrointestinal (GI) distress. This can include bloating, gas, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain. These symptoms can make running uncomfortable and can lead to fatigue and massively impact training and racing. Food intolerances can cause other symptoms, such as headaches, joint pain, and skin rashes. If you suspect a food intolerance, you must get tested to avoid foods that trigger your symptoms.
Signs That Food Intolerances Affect Running
If you suspect a food allergy or intolerance is affecting your running performance, there are some key signs to look for. These include gastrointestinal (GI) distress, fatigue, headaches, and joint pain. If you experience any of these symptoms after eating, you must get tested to avoid foods that trigger your symptoms.
Food allergies differ from food intolerances, though they can cause similar symptoms. A food allergy is an immune reaction to a food protein, while a food intolerance is a non-immune reaction to a food or ingredient. Food intolerances are more common than food allergies, and they can be challenging to diagnose because there is no definitive test.
Gastrointestinal And Running Performance
Many gastrointestinal (GI) problems can affect runners, but gluten intolerance is the most common. A gluten intolerance can cause fatigue, bloating, and other GI symptoms that can negatively affect running performance. Fatigue will have a massive negative impact on your training, making it harder to recover from workouts. Also, trying to run when you are bloated is uncomfortable and can lead to GI distress. On longer runs, such as marathons or your first ultramarathon, this can be a real issue and often cause runners to DNF. Ultramarathon nutrition is so important. Therefore, selecting the wrong foods for your first event could be a real issue as you get further into the run.
Why Your Diet Is Important For Running?
Your diet is vital for running because the food you eat gives your body the energy it needs to run. When you have a food intolerance, your body has trouble digesting and absorbing the nutrients from the food you eat. This can lead to fatigue, poor recovery, and other problems affecting your running performance.
What To Do If You Have A Food Intolerance
Lifelabs Testing Review
If you think you have a food allergy or intolerance, Lifelab Testing can help. Lifelab Testing is a UK based that offers food allergy and intolerance testing. The company uses a simple blood test to look for IgG antibodies produced in response to an offending food protein. Their test also can identify allergies to various foods, including wheat, eggs, dairy, nuts, and seafood. The test is quick and easy, and results are available within 5 working days. You also get a 30-day follow-up program based on the results.
Lifelabs Testing Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages
- Quick and easy blood test
- Results available within 5-7 working days
- 30-day follow-up program included
- Can identify allergies to a wide range of foods
Disadvantages
- Can’t test for all food allergies/intolerances (e.g. histamine intolerance)
Lifelabs Testing Customer Feedback
Customers commented how the test was straightforward to follow, and they got the results back quickly. They were also given a helpful guide on what to do next and how to avoid their trigger foods. In terms of price, the tests were a bit expensive, but customers felt it was worth it to get some answers and peace of mind.
Overall, customers were happy with their experience with Lifelab Testing. The company’s simple blood test can identify food allergies and intolerances quickly and easily. However, it’s important to note that the test can only identify some. Overall, customers were happy with the service and found it helpful in managing their food allergies or intolerances.
Who Are Lifelab Testing?
Lifelab Testing offers Food Intolerance Testing services that can help determine your food intolerance and what foods to avoid. They use the latest technology to test for food sensitivities, and our results are accurate and reliable.
Lifelab Testing Kits: Food Intolerances Affecting Running Performance
If you suspect that you have a food intolerance, Lifelab Testing offers Food Intolerance Testing services that can help you determine which foods may trigger your symptoms. Lifelab Testing offers testing kits that can be delivered to your house so that you can take the test in the comfort of your home. The results are accurate and reliable and can help you identify foods to avoid. If you suspect that you have a food intolerance, contact Lifelab Testing today to learn more about their Food Intolerance Testing services.
Lifelabs Testing Final Thoughts
Lifelabs Testing is a good option if you have a food allergy or intolerance. The company’s simple blood test can identify allergies to a wide range of foods quickly and easily. However, it’s important to note that the test can’t identify all food allergies and intolerances. If you have symptoms of food intolerance (e.g. histamine intolerance), you should see a doctor or allergist for testing. If you are into sport, these tests can help you find out if food intolerances affect running performance or not. Doing so will allow you to eliminate these foods and get your body back on track.
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